Monthly Archives

Syndicate

Sunday, April 26, 2009

BRICKELL UPSETS THE FIELD IN HENRY CLARK STAKES

BALTIMORE, 04-25-09---Harry Kassap LLC’s Brickell scored a 50-1 upset in today’s feature, the $75,000 Henry S. Clark Stakes contested over the good turf at Pimlico Race Course. The 8-year-old was the longest shot on the board in the 11 horse field for older horses.

The son of Deputy Minister, making his 52nd lifetime start, tracked the pacesetters from third in his position along the hedge, then edged to the fore as the field straightened for home. Under jockey Harry Vega, Brickell completed the one mile distance in 1:39.80, beating late closing Independent George by 1-1/4 lengths. Midwatch, the pacesetter, finished third.

“I was so confident the whole way around,” Vega said. “He was laying third most of the way and was very comfortable. At the head of the lane I looked back to make sure I wasn’t moving too soon. My horse ran right up to those guys on the front and I hadn’t moved yet.”

Brickell raced for a $10,000 claiming tag as recently as last August, where he was claimed by trainer Ted Maher. He raced twice at the allowance level during the Laurel Park fall meet then had the winter off. This was his first start since October 23, 2008.

“I really didn’t want to run him in this spot,” Maher said. “I thought he needed a race but he had never really had a layoff during his career and he could use the freshening. He is a really well bred horse and he is a classy animal. We are very excited. I am shocked. I didn’t think we were even going to place.”

Brickell paid $102.40 and topped a $310 exacta and a $2,079.40 triple. He has 11 lifetime wins and 30 in the money finishes for earnings of $342,782. He had started in only two other stakes over the years, off-the-board finishes in both the Elkhorn at Keeneland and the John Henry at Arlington Park.

Maher said he would likely nominate Brickell to the Grade II Dixie on Preakness day, May 16. Last year the trainer finished third in the Dixie with Ra Der Dean at odds of 41-1.